By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Justice is offering a P1 million reward for information on the whereabouts of Cassandra Li Ong, one of the key figures in the pending human trafficking case involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs, in Central Luzon.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, acting Justice Sec. Fredderick Vida said the DOJ is formally offering the reward for “credible actionable information that will directly lead to the lawful discovery, location, and subsequent arrest” of Ong.
“Batid naman po natin sa nakalipas ay may kakayanan sila. May kakayanan na umikot, gumalaw, at makalabas at pumasok ng Pilipinas nang hindi natutukoy,” Vida said.
He added that even after the alleged confiscation of Ong’s passport, she may have managed to leave the country through the so-called backdoor exits.
“Definitely, with the current information that we have, we don’t have enough. That’s why we’re offering the reward. And it’s an effective tool,” he said.
DOJ Usec. Nicky Ty said the cancellation order on the passports of Ong, former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and two others is final and executory by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan clarified that the cancellation of Roque’s passport is unrelated to his pending application for asylum before the government of the Netherlands.
